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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 21-1013 Marriage and Family Therapists
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of professional services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. Exclude "Social Workers" (21-1021 through 21-1029) and "Psychologists" of all types (19-3031 through 19-3039).
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Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
OJT: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks: Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors. Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, and financial difficulties. Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner. Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations. Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues. Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, and observation. Confer with clients to develop plans for posttreatment activities. Confer with other counselors, doctors, and professionals to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services. Determine whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists in such fields as medicine, psychiatry, and legal aid. Follow up on results of counseling programs and clients' adjustments to determine effectiveness of programs.
License: This applicant should contact the State Board of Marriage & Family Therapists directly or visit the regulator’s website for forms, procedures and schedules. MFT License Fee: $300.00 Examination Fee: $220.00 MFT Associate Initial License Fee: $200.00 MFT Associate Removal Fee: $200.00
Outlook: Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $13.11   Entry $27,268.00
Mean $19.61   Mean $40,784.00
Experience $22.85 Experience $47,538.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
270320351.71
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Occupational Videos
21-1013.00 Marriage and Family Therapists